On Thursday, the New Orleans City Council is set to decide a zoning issue that could clear the way for a high-rise condo building in the Holy Cross neighborhood.The old Holy Cross School sits along the river in the lower 9th Ward. The building has been shuttered since Hurricane Katrina.“It’s judgment day,” said 9th ward community organizer Vanessa Gureinger.The zoning measure previously went before two city committees. Neither made a recommendation on the project. The issue has been pulled from the council agenda several times.“We believe in the power of the people,” said neighborhood organizer Kim Ford, who lives near the planned high rise.While neighbors have concerns, city leaders have said the historic 9th Ward needs new development. They believe the condo project would bring jobs, commerce and tax revenue.It’s a big decision for the council, members of which were sworn in Monday. Three of the seven city council members have been on the job less than a week and will decide an issue that will affect the neighborhood for years to come.Neighbors have raised concerns about the developer, Perez. The company said it has been willing to compromise with the residents.Perez scaled down the planned height of the planned building to 60 feet.

NEW ORLEANS —

On Thursday, the New Orleans City Council is set to decide a zoning issue that could clear the way for a high-rise condo building in the Holy Cross neighborhood.

The old Holy Cross School sits along the river in the lower 9th Ward. The building has been shuttered since Hurricane Katrina.

The zoning measure previously went before two city committees. Neither made a recommendation on the project. The issue has been pulled from the council agenda several times.

“We believe in the power of the people,” said neighborhood organizer Kim Ford, who lives near the planned high rise.

While neighbors have concerns, city leaders have said the historic 9th Ward needs new development. They believe the condo project would bring jobs, commerce and tax revenue.

It’s a big decision for the council, members of which were sworn in Monday. Three of the seven city council members have been on the job less than a week and will decide an issue that will affect the neighborhood for years to come.

Neighbors have raised concerns about the developer, Perez. The company said it has been willing to compromise with the residents.

Perez scaled down the planned height of the planned building to 60 feet.